Canada Issues Over Half a Million Visitor Visas so Far This Year

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 9, 2012) - Canada has issued a record number of visitor visas this year with over 500,000 issued since the start of this year, announced Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today.

"Canada is the best country in the world, so it is not surprising that so many people want to visit our country," said Minister Kenney. "Our country's vibrant cities and remote wilderness are a draw for Canadians and international travellers alike."

Last year at this time Canada had issued just over 450,000 visitor visas to travellers abroad. Canada's tourist season is now in full swing, and by the end of the year we expect to have granted over one million visitor visas.

That's not counting students or temporary workers. Nor does it take into account citizens of over fifty countries, or ninety percent of visitors, who do not require visas to come to Canada.

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.